Pharmacists in Spain are well trained and often the front line on minor ailments. I love these guys. But they have their limits on what they can do.
I also love Spanish doctors. I’m thoroughly indebted to them. Yet would love to never have to consult with one ever again.
But we have reached the point in this journey when I need to consult someone other than physical therapists on their YouTube channels, local pharmacists, or natural healers who happen to be walking the Camino. Sure, a back pack full of herbal remedies is great for a cold. But it won’t fix my knee that now resembles a head of cauliflower after going over Alto de Perdon.
It’s time to pull the rip cord and delay this trek until I can get some facts, take more than three days in a Pamplona hotel with bags of frozen peas to rest my knee, and hear from an actual orthopedists. I do believe it’s not something really bad. The swelling got better after icing it.
I was already thinking I might be getting close when I woke up this morning. It was a painful night. But one of my fellow Peregrinos wasn’t happy.
‘I needed ear plugs. You moaned in your sleep.’
She wasn’t kidding. I woke myself up with my own moaning every time I rolled over. The rest of me feels great!
Maybe its just a steroid injection or something easy. Get the swelling and inflammation down. But I fear my Camino is stalled for a bit. Two Italian cyclists helped me into the van to go to a bigger town with a Centro Medico. They said something I think was ‘Go get’em!’ But I’ll never know. I’ve officially pulled the rip cord. For now.
Viva Espana 
I think your making the best call. Get it figured out before it gets worse. Good luck and keep us updated. The Camino isn’t going anywhere 😊
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I keep telling myself that. The reason for the delay will come. I’ll get there.
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Yep, if we don’t listen to our bodies, who will? I must have torn my achilles on my camino. I used KT tape religiously but expect it was already damaged. Two years later and it still bothers me. Today walked 8 miles around Paris with my black KT tape. It helps but I now know I have to see a specialist, otherwise I’ll never get to walk another camino. I’m glad you’re taking the break and especially glad that it’s not related to your long-COVID but just a body part that can be fixed.
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I promise I will make it up to Cruz de Ferro to leave the stone for your son and family. Just later than we thought. Paris! You made it to find your forever home. In Pau? I saw the signs for it in St Jean and thought of you.
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The Camino will wait for you as it will for all of us, patience is key here. Take care of you, that’s you Buen Camino for now.
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As disappointing as it is I believe there must be a reason for this delay. I just don’t know what it is yet. All revealed over time. Right now it’s time to heal. I’ll be back.
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https://www.vitacost.com/dynamic-health-liquid-joint-elixir-ultra
This was highly recommended to me by a friend with lots of knee issues. When I was taking it it was helping me for knee pain(I sometimes have that when going downhill).
Even if its not the same brand at least it can give you an idea of the ingredients.
And wow, you definitely cannot complain of a Camino lacking in Reto (challenge).
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I’ll check it out. I will return when I’m healed up. Ironically, the first big climbs and challenging downhills were behind me. My friend cautioned me that I will need this knee beyond the Camino. She’s right.
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Great job, Kelli. One of the most difficult things to do on the camino is to listen to our bodies and do what it’s telling us to do. So many people suffer serious injury by ignoring what our bodies are screaming. The camino will be there when you are ready. For now take care of yourself, it’s the most important thing that you can do. Buen Camino.
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Thank you. Your Camino is coming up fast. I wish you good health and good weather. Buen Camino
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